Sukia and the Sixteen Martyrs

Sukia and the Sixteen Martyrs are Holy Martyr Sukia and his companions, Georgian nobles of the second century: Andrew, Anastasius, Talale, Theodoret, Ivkirion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lucian, Mimnanos, Nerangios, Polyeuctus, Jacob, Phocas, Domentian, Victor and Zosimus. They served at the court of the prince of Caucasian Albania and came to Artashat, in Armenia, in the time of King Artaxias, together with the prince's daughter Satenik, who married the king.

There they became disciples of Chrysos, a disciple of the Apostle Thaddeus, who baptized them in the Euphrates. After the killing of Chrysos and four disciples, Sukia remained the father of the community. They withdrew to Mount Sukaketi, led a harsh life and, when the new prince Datianos sent the courtier Barlapa to bring them, refused to renounce Christ. They were burned and cut with the sword, and in the year 123, according to tradition, received the crown of martyrdom. The relics lay 230 years unburied and incorrupt, then Christians buried them in the fourth century. Their commemoration is on 15 April, old style (28 April, new style).